He made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand–its base and its shaft–of hammered work; its cups, calyxes, and petals were of one piece with it. Six branches issued from its sides: three branches from one side of […]

Buddha’s teachings are so simple and straightforward. If you find them complicated, it is only because you have made them so. You may think, “I have a Ph.D. and have amassed all this knowledge, yet I still can’t figure out […]

What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not […]

Mark 6:47-56 47 When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early […]

A man arrives at the gates of heaven. St. Peter asks, “Religion?” The man says, “Methodist.” St. Peter looks down his list, and says, “Go to room 24, but be very quiet as you pass room 8.” Another man arrives […]

They made the planks for the Tabernacle of acacia wood, upright. The length of each plank was ten cubits, the width of each plank a cubit and a half. Each plank had two tenons, parallel to each other; they did […]

As all things are buddha-dharma, there is delusion and realization, practice, and birth and death, and there are buddhas and sentient beings. As the myriad things are without an abiding self, there is no delusion, no realization, no buddha, no […]

If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for. –C.H. Spurgeon

[30] And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. [31] And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest […]

Mark 6:30-46 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming […]

Then all the skilled among those engaged in the work made the tabernacle of ten strips of cloth, which they made of fine twisted linen, blue, purple, and crimson yarns; into these they worked a design of cherubim. The length […]

As a blind man feels when he finds a pearl in a dustbin, so am I amazed by the miracles of awakening rising in my consciousness. It is the nectar of immortality that delivers us from death, the treasure that […]

[13] And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. [14] And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen […]

Mark 6:13-29 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. 14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised […]

A pastor who was badly overworked went to the local medical center and was able to have a clone made. The clone was like the pastor in every respect–except that the clone used extraordinarily foul language. The cloned pastor was […]

And Moses said to the Israelites: See, the Lord has singled out by name Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He has endowed him with a divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in […]

Even though the training in ethics takes many forms, the ethics of abandoning the ten non-virtues is their basis. Of the ten non-virtues, three pertain to bodily actions, four to verbal actions, and three to mental actions. The three mental […]

[1] And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. [2] And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, […]

Mark 6:1-13 1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this […]

In 1922, Walter Rathenau, Germany’s foreign minister, was murdered by three men. Two of them later committed suicide. One, Ernst Techow, survived and was imprisoned. Rathenau’s mother Mathilde, wrote to Techow’s mother: In grief unspeakable, I give you my hand. […]

A Buddhist and a Hindu went skydiving together. As they prepared to jump, the Buddhist said, “If anything should go wrong–” “Nothing will go wrong,” said the Hindu. “But if it does, God will save me.” “Not a chance,” the […]

And everyone who excelled in ability and everyone whose spirit moved him came, bringing to the Lord his offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting and for all its service and for the sacral vestments. Men and women, […]

If you can forget both clamor and silence, you will surely understand the simultaneous realization of the absolute and the relative. -Lin-ch’uan From “The Pocket Zen Reader,” edited by Thomas Cleary, 1999. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.

[21] And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. [22] And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by […]

Mark 5:21-43 21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, […]

A young lady came home from a date looking rather sad. She told her mother, “Arthur proposed to me an hour ago.” “Then why are you so sad?” her mother asked. “Because he also told me he was an atheist. […]

Moses then convoked the whole Israelite community and said to them: These are the things that the Lord has commanded you to do: On six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a sabbath […]

Nine year old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned at Sunday school. “Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. […]

And the Lord said to Moses: Write down these commandments, for in accordance with these commandments I make a covenant with you and with Israel. And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he ate no […]

From the time there appears in this world one who has seen the truth, a fully awakened one, blessed by the truth, abounding in happiness, a teacher of wisdom and goodness, a buddha. He, by himself, thoroughly knows and sees […]

A minister dies and is waiting in line at the Pearly Gates. Ahead of him is a guy who’s dressed in sunglasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. Saint Peter addresses this guy, “Who are you, so that I […]

Let there be nothing behind you; leave the future to one side. Do not clutch at what is left in the middle; then you will become a wanderer and calm. –Sutta Nipata From “365 Buddha: Daily Meditations.” edited by Jeff […]

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. –George Washington

The Lord said to Moses: “Carve two tablets of stone like the first, and I will inscribe upon the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you shattered. Be ready by morning, and in the morning come […]

If the element of the truth seeker did not exist in everyone, There would be no turning away from craving, Nor could there be a longing for nirvana, Nor a seeking for it, nor a resolve to find it. –Visuddhi […]

Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things…Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first. –Andrew Murray

Hence, the purpose of the Holy Life does not consist in acquiring alms, honor, or fame, nor in gaining morality, concentration, or the eye of knowledge. That unshakable deliverance of the heart: that, indeed, is the object of Holy Life, […]

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing He said to them was, “Don’t.” “Don’t what?” Adam asked. “Don’t eat the forbidden fruit,” God said. “Forbidden fruit? We got forbidden fruit? Hey, Eve! We […]

Moses saw that the people were out of control–since Aaron had let them get out of control–so that they were a menace to any who might oppose them. Moses stood up in the gate of the camp and said, “Whoever […]

To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery. It means to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if God […]

[19] And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house. [20] And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. [21] And when his friends heard of it, they […]

Mark 3:19b-35 19 Then he went home; 20 and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21 When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone […]

There are large scale sins: Terrorists, tyrants, those who sow hatred and disorder. I recall the words of the Polish dissident Adam Michnik, when asked if former communists all had to be prosecuted, an act that would most certainly tear […]

A heavy snowstorm closed the schools in one town. When the children returned to school a few days later, one grade school teacher asked her students whether they had used the time away from school constructively. “I sure did, teacher,” […]

And the Lord said to Moses: Speak to the Israelite people and say: Nevertheless, you must keep My sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout the ages, that you may know that I the Lord have […]

If a man should conquer in battle a thousand and a thousand more, and another should conquer himself, his would be the greater victory, because the greatest of victories is the victory over oneself. -Buddha From Sayings of the Buddha: […]

[7] But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, [8] And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a […]

Mark 3:7-19a 7 Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; 8 hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, […]

When Jerry Garcia died, he woke up and found himself on a stage on which a number of instruments were set up. A door offstage opened and in walked Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, John Lennon, Otis Redding and […]

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: When you take a census of the Israelite people according to their enrollment, each shall pay the Lord a ransom for himself on being enrolled, that no plague may come upon them through their […]

Every single thing arises from the evil mind, sang the Sage. So there is nothing dangerous in the three worlds other than the mind. -Santideva, “Bodhicaryavatara” From “365 Buddha: Daily Meditations,” edited by Jeff Schmidt. Reprinted by arrangement with Tarcher/Putnam, […]

[19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. […]

John 5:19-24 19 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father […]

You shall make an altar for burning incense; make it of acacia wood. It shall be a cubit long and a cubit wide–it shall be square–and two cubits high, its horns of one piece with it. Overlay it with pure […]

A gift of Dhamma conquers all gifts; the taste of Dhamma, all tastes; a delight in Dhamma, all delights; the ending of craving, all suffering and stress. -Dhammapada, 24, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

[23] And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. [24] And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do […]

Mark 2:23-3:6 23 One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful […]

Now this is what you shall offer upon the altar: two yearling lambs each day, regularly. You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at twilight. There shall be a tenth of […]

Don’t cling to your own understanding. Even if you do understand something, you should ask yourself if there might be something you have not fully resolved, or if there may be some higher meaning yet. –Dogen From “The Pocket Zen […]

[13] And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. [14] And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, […]

Mark 2:13-22 13 Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. 14 As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said […]

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all these waking hours, let him establish mindfulness of good will, which men call the highest state! –Buddha From “Sayings of the Buddha: Reflections for Every Day”, by William Wray, 2004. Reprinted […]

[1] And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. [2] And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much […]

Mark 2:1-12 1 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and […]

An angel went to see St. Peter. “All I do,” the angel said, “is play the harp endlessly, and I’m getting bored.” St. Peter asked, “What would you rather do?” The angel answered, “I like to dance.” “We don’t allow […]

“Mr. Goldblatt,” announced little Joey, “there’s something I can’t figure out.” “What’s that, Joey?” asked Goldblatt. “Well, according to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?” “Right.” “And the Children of Israel beat up the Phillistines, […]

This is what you shall do to them in consecrating them to serve Me as priests: Take a young bull of the herd and two rams without blemish; also unleavened bread, unleavened cakes with oil mixed in, and unleavened wafers […]

[29] And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [30] But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of […]

Mark 1:29-45 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. […]

It is extremely important to investigate the causes or origins of suffering. One must begin that process by appreciating the impermanent, transient nature of our existence. All things, events and phenomena are dynamic, changing every moment, nothing remains static. Meditating […]

[14] Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe […]

Mark 1:14-28 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” […]

In the Jewish prayer service, our confessional is plural. Partly we are admitting that all sin is a function of community, environment, as well as individual choice. In other words, when another sins we are rarely guiltless. We are part […]

Then make frames of gold and two chains of pure gold; braid these like corded work, and fasten the corded chains to the frames. You shall make a breastpiece of decision, worked into a design; make it in the style […]

Crookedness and truth (straightness) are in their nature opposite and cannot dwell together more than frost and fire; for one who has become religious, and practices the way of straight behavior, a false and crooked way of speech is not […]

[1] The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; [2] As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. [3] The voice of […]

You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly. Aaron and his sons shall set them up in the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain which is over [the […]

Nothing is born, nothing is destroyed. Away with your dualism, your likes and dislikes. Every single thing is just the One Mind. When you have perceived this, you will have mounted the Chariot of the Buddhas. -Huang Po, “Zen Teaching […]

You shall make the enclosure of the Tabernacle: On the south side, a hundred cubits of hangings of fine twisted linen for the length of the enclosure on that side–with its twenty posts and their twenty sockets of copper, the […]

Before, this mind went wandering however it pleased, wherever it wanted, by whatever way that it liked. Today I will hold it aptly in check– as one wielding a goad, an elephant in rut. -Dhammapada, 23, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

A young couple were driving down the road one day, happily, deliriously in love and due to be married the next day. Suddenly, a large truck swerved from the oncoming lanes into their car! BOOM! And they both died. At […]

You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide–the altar is to be square–and three cubits high. Make its horns on the four corners, the horns to be of one piece with it; and […]

In the beginning mindfulness takes away worries and fears about past and future and keeps us anchored in the present. In the end it points to the right view of the self. –Ayya Khema, “Be an Island” Copyright Wisdom Publications […]

As the storm raged, the captain realized his ship was sinking fast. He called out, “Anyone here know how to pray?” One man stepped forward. “Aye, Captain, I know how to pray.” “Good,” said the captain, “You pray while the […]

Pray for Maria and Rosa"Lord Jesus, I hope that you keep all this turmoil at bay, and don't let it blow up into a bad situation. My sister has 3 kids (6mo-5yrs) and struggles on a daily basis." Posted by believer2012 ...